In a chilling twist to one of Marin County’s oldest and most haunting murder mysteries, convicted serial killer Joseph Naso now claims responsibility for the brutal 1977 killing of 19-year-old Pamela Lambson on Mt. Tamalpais.
For decades, people linked the murder to another infamous predator, Rodney Alcala — the so-called “Dating Game Killer.” But in a new documentary, Death Row Confidential: Secrets of a Serial Killer, Naso confesses not only to Lambson’s death, but also to 25 other murders. This shakes the foundations of cold case history across Marin County and beyond.
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The Mt. Tamalpais Murder That Haunted Marin for Decades
Back in 1977, the serene beauty of Mt. Tamalpais, a beloved destination for hikers from Mill Valley, Sausalito, and San Rafael, became the backdrop for a grisly discovery.
Pamela Lambson’s body was found posed against a tree, a disturbing hallmark of the killer’s signature. For years, authorities and true crime buffs believed Rodney Alcala — later convicted of killing multiple women in California and New York — was responsible.
Now, Naso’s claims have reopened the case file. Marin County law enforcement must re-examine evidence they thought was settled history.
The Alleged Lure: A Photographer’s Lie
Former death row inmate Bill Noguera spent more than a decade listening to Naso confide about his crimes. Noguera says Naso described how he lured Lambson by pretending to be an Oakland A’s photographer.
Naso allegedly arranged to meet her at San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf before driving her north toward Mt. Tamalpais. What started as a supposed modeling opportunity turned into something far more sinister.
Cold case detective Ken Mains points out that the details Naso shared — Lambson’s blonde hair, white outfit, and their meeting at the Wharf — match what investigators already knew. Lambson’s brother, who still lives near Novato, confirmed she’d mentioned meeting an older photographer before her death.
Alcala, who was younger than Naso, didn’t fit that description.
Death Row Confession: Credible or Calculated?
In the documentary, Naso claims he posed Lambson’s body to fulfill her supposed desire for “exposure.” That rationale echoes his disturbing pattern.
Marin County officers have received this new information, but they’re cautious about acting on it. Naso is currently appealing his death sentence for six other murders, most tied to victims he allegedly found in Bay Area communities like Fairfax, Larkspur, and Oakland.
A Second Mt. Tamalpais Victim
Naso’s confessions didn’t stop with Lambson. He also claimed responsibility for the 1975 killing of a young, red-haired woman, also left on Mt. Tam.
The similarities between the cases stand out — both victims were positioned in a deliberate, staged manner. There’s a twisted ritual element here that’s hard to ignore.
Impact on Marin County and the Broader Bay Area
For residents of Marin County, news of Naso’s confession is as unsettling as it is significant. The region, from the quiet streets of Tiburon to the bustling shops of Corte Madera, has seen its share of cases that grab national attention.
- Re-examining Cold Cases: Naso’s confession could trigger a wider review of unsolved killings in Marin and the North Bay during the 1970s.
- Justice for the Families: For families like the Lambsons, who’ve waited decades for answers, this development could bring either closure or new frustration if formal charges don’t follow.
- Public Safety Awareness: The case is a reminder that even picturesque spots like Mt. Tamalpais can hide real dangers.
Authorities Remain Cautious
Even though Naso’s confession seems credible, Marin County investigators aren’t rushing to meet with him again. His lawyers are still tangled up in appeals over other murder cases.
No one really knows if more prosecutions will happen. Detectives keep weighing whether it’s worth digging back into old cases, especially since it’s tough to get convictions after so much time has slipped by.
For Marin County, this isn’t just another crime headline. It’s a heavy reminder of how some shadows hang over a place for years, even decades.
While authorities wrestle with the gap between what happened back then and the legal messiness of today, people here still remember Pamela Lambson. There’s a quiet hope that her story will finally get some closure—maybe not soon, but someday.
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Here is the source article for this story: Serial killer Joseph Naso left 2 bodies on Mt. Tam in 1977, according to new documentary
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